Pretoria - Soccer fans with legitimate Bafana Bafana replica jerseys not bearing the protea badge can now take them to be stamped with the national sporting symbol on the left breast.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has agreed to endorse the printing of the protea on Bafana replica jerseys.
The protea badges will be made available from retailers stocking genuine Bafana replica jerseys during the Easter Weekend at a retail price of R20.00. An original Bafana jersey costs R599.
SAFA CEO, Leslie Sedibe, said Adidas SA has agreed to facilitate the process and has appointed a printing and promotions company, Design-a-shirt, to manufacture and distribute an embroidered iron-on protea badge.
"All supporters who now wish to wear the Protea on their Bafana replica jerseys can do so by purchasing an iron-on Protea badge, at the recommended retail price of R20 00 from retailers stocking genuine Bafana replica jerseys.
"Design-a-shirt is the chosen supplier that will produce this iron-on embroidered protea badges; Adidas assisted us to find this supplier who has already started producing the badges," said Sedibe.
The protea badges will be available nationwide at Cross Trainer, Sportsman's Warehouse and Sneakers in Sandton and Bloemfontein. Riga Bros Sport and Leisure in Ladysmith, Victory in Welkom, Connections in KwaZulu-Natal and Just for Kickz in Joburg will also sell the badges.
"The Bafana replica jersey is the one thing that distinguishes us from the rest of the world and it is important that our identity is authentic," Sedibe said.
